Chapter 17 Family Dont like This

Jamal's arm wrapped around my waist, his grip firm as I tried to wriggle free. But he held tight, a possessive gesture that made my face flush with embarrassment, especially in front of my parents.

Dad's expression turned disapproving, his eyes narrowing at Jamal's bold move. Mom, attempting to lighten the mood, joked, "Another high school friend?" Her voice was laced with sarcasm, and Tina and Ashley's laughter sounded forced.

Jamal, seemingly unfazed, slightly bowed in front of my parents, his greeting respectful. "Mr. and Mrs. Ingram, it's an honor to finally meet you." His voice was smooth, but I sensed a hint of defiance beneath the surface.

I tried to extricate myself from his grasp, but Jamal's hold remained firm, sending a clear message: he wasn't going anywhere.

"What's going on?" Ashley whispered, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Shh..." Tina, my mother, silenced her, her gaze fixed on Jamal and me.

"What is going on here?" Dad demanded, his voice firm and authoritative.

"Should I tell them, or will you?" Jamal asked, his eyes locked onto mine, his expression unreadable.

I felt a surge of anxiety, unsure of how much to reveal. But before I could respond, Jamal continued.

"Kimberly's in danger," he said, his voice low and serious. "And I'm here to protect her."

The atmosphere fell silent, with all eyes on us. My father's face darkened, his jaw clenched in anger.

I will," I said, taking a deep breath. "This is Jamal... my... my... hus... husband." I stuttered, the words tumbling out in a nervous rush.

The room fell silent, as if time itself had paused. Even the birds outside seemed to respect the moment, their chirping ceasing as if in unison.

My mother's eyes widened, her face pale. My father's expression turned thunderous, his jaw clenched in shock. Ashley's mouth hung open, her eyes darting between Jamal and me in disbelief. Tina, my mother, looked like she'd been punched in the gut, her breath caught in her throat.

Jamal's hand tightened around mine, a silent show of support. He faced my family, his eyes unwavering, as if daring them to challenge our union.

The silence stretched, heavy with tension, until finally, my father broke it.

"Impossible," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Dad's face turned beet red as he shattered the silence. "What kind of nonsense are you saying?!" he thundered.

Tina, my sister, gazed at me with a mix of shock and curiosity. "So, you're the mystery bride," she stated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ashley's eyes widened in disbelief. "No way..." she trailed off.

But Mom's reaction was the most venomous. "You have the nerve to bring your boyfriend, husband, whatever, into my house?" Jackie's voice dripped with disdain. "You've disrespected us. You're no longer an Ingram."

Her words cut deep, but what followed was even more painful.

"I'm glad we didn't have a son," she spat, her gaze raking over Jamal with contempt. "A gay son would be disgusting. This is embarrassing."